Proposal to allow 24-story buildings in South Lake Union

Big houses built on small lots and even bigger houses maximizing set backs and pushing height limits have found their way into most Seattle neighborhoods.John Taylor’s patio in Laurelhurst has a new horizon thanks to a tall house built on a small lot behind his home. His dog Oskar is with him.

Too bad zoning in South Lake Union has become a battleground [“Council signals 24-story towers by South Lake Union won’t fly,” NWTuesday, April 2]. Mayor Mike McGinn proposed a visionary plan for Block 59, which is an underutilized parcel located at Mercer Street and Dexter Avenue North.By combining land owned by the city, state and Vulcan Real Estate, Block 59 would be transformed into 400 units of mixed-income housing, affordable child care and a job-training center. More than 15 nonprofit agencies, including Mary’s Place, YWCA and Goodwill support this proposal that would offer tremendous benefits to the community.

Seattle City Council made the right decision in limiting building height

The City Council made the right decision in an informal vote to limit the Vulcan-building heights to 16 stories [“Council signals 24-story towers by South Lake Union won’t fly,” NWTuesday, April 2]. The mayor’s “bribe” to Paul Allen’s Vulcan Real Estate for “extraordinary public benefits” is laudable for the extra height, but it would benefit only a few with low-income housing.

Councilmember Sally Bagshaw and others have it right in limiting the height to 16 stories for all those working or living in the proximity of Lake Union.

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